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Want a raise by this time next year? - Afford Anything
Job hunting is tough — but accepting the first offer could cost you thousands. In this FIIRE Pillar II episode, Paula Pant busts 8 common salary negotiation myths, from “they’ll rescind the offer” to “the budget is the budget,” and shows you how to confidently ask for more money without fear.
#640: First Friday: Jobs Report Shock - What Falling Yields and Fed Rate Cuts Mean for Your Money - Afford Anything
The August 2025 jobs report shocked economists with only 22,000 jobs added and unemployment at 4.3%. Paula Pant explains how weak job growth, falling Treasury yields, and Jerome Powell’s Fed remarks could lower mortgage rates, revive the housing market, and shape the next rate cut.
#632: How to Get Everything You Want at Work, with Behavior Prof. Melody Wilding - Afford Anything
There are 10 conversations that a person should have at work in order to do a better job, have better relationships at work, and make more money. Melody Wilding, Professor of Human Behavior at Hunter College, joins us to talk about how you can get the most out of your boss.
#635: Q&A: Gold vs. Stocks – and Why Inflation Panic Makes You Poor - Afford Anything
Curious about different kinds of investment? In this episode, Paula Pant and Joe Saul-Sehy explain inflation-proof assets like gold and bonds, explore private investments, and share money tips for new 1099 workers on taxes and liability protection.
#517: Should I Raid My Retirement Plan to Buy Real Estate? - Afford Anything
Kimiko is dismayed that the asset allocation books she’s read led her down a path to an underperforming portfolio heavy in ex-US stock investments. Where should she go from here? Julie and her husband dream of owning a vacation rental in the Denver area even though the math doesn’t add up. It seems like everyone around can make it work though. What’s missing? Casey is excited to build his real estate portfolio and purchase his third rental property. He’s also worried that his plan to fund the purchase with his 457 Plan is flawed. What should he do? Former financial
#516: Dr. Brian Klaas: The Secret to Financial Resilience - Afford Anything
Have you ever wondered how small, seemingly insignificant actions can have massive impacts on your financial life? In today's episode, we talk to Dr. Brian Klaas, a Professor at University College London and an affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford. He explains how our decisions can lead to unintended and unanticipated consequences. He describes why resilience is more important than efficiency when it comes to protecting your investments and career from unexpected shocks. You'll learn how to tell the difference between predictable problems and those that are full of uncertainty, giving you a new way to think about your
#515: Q&A: Sell Your Home or Stay Put? - Afford Anything
Jessica and her husband are juggling two home sales and one home purchase within the next two to four years. How do they execute wisely while navigating a tight real estate market? Zerai works two jobs that both offer a pension and retirement plan. Can he take advantage of everything at his disposal or must he make some tough choices? Emily and her husband bought their home a year ago. But a national builder tempts them to sell and upgrade using a 3-2-1 buydown mortgage. Should they do it? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions
#514: Why the Latest Economic Report is a Rorschach Test - Afford Anything
The S&P 500 hit a record high — and the GameStop guy is back, and he now owns 9 million shares of GME, making him the 4th largest shareholder.Interest rates from remain the same, and are expected to hold steady until September. Inflation remains unchanged from last month.Last month we saw a massive explosion of new jobs, at 272,000 — nearly 90,000 more than predicted. But we also saw unemployment tick up, which created mixed signals.Learn the implications of the latest economic news — and how it impacts your wallet — in this month’s economic update.
#513: Bachelorette Star Jason Tartick: The Truth About Financial Infidelity - Afford Anything
Jason Tartick, a former banker and TV star from The Bachelorette, discusses finances in relationships. He describes eight crucial questions about money that every couple should discuss. When a couple is dating, but before they get serious, he says, each person should divulge their debt-to-income ratio. This is your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Keeping this ratio below 30-40% is crucial for financial stability. Banks consider this when approving loans. Couples still in the dating stage should also discuss their credit scores. If you're thinking about becoming serious with someone, you need to understand their history
#512: Don't Let One Big Bill Blow Up Your Budget (Here's How) - Afford Anything
An anonymous caller who received a large inheritance feels paralyzed by all the investment philosophies he’s read about. How does he pick a winning strategy he can stick with? Josh is an expectant dad looking to buy a bigger house but doesn’t know how much everything will cost. Should he save more or invest more? Another anonymous caller worries that large expenditures like buying a new car or replacing her home’s roof will blow up her budget in retirement. How does she plan for unexpected expenses? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.
#510: How to Master the Psychology of Persuasion, with Michael McQueen - Afford Anything
Maybe you’re trying to convince: – Your spouse | to embrace the FIRE movement. – Your teenage kids | to invest some of their summer job money in stocks. – Your neighbor | to sell you their house in a private, off-market deal. – Your boss | to give you more vacation time. – Your client | to pay you more. Today’s episode is about how to change minds, build trust, navigate conversations, and influence and persuade others. We chat with Michael McQueen, a social researcher, strategist, and the author of 10 books. He’s spoken alongside Bill Gates, Apple co-founder
#511: Q&A: "I'm Scared of Running Out of Money in Retirement!" - Afford Anything
Sara is five years from retirement with a paid-off house. But she’s worried that her money will run out before she turns 80. What does she need to do now to protect her future self? Lauren is a personal finance nerd who gets it. But one question perplexes her: When should she choose an ETF over an index mutual fund? What about vice versa? Paula and Joe explain. An anonymous caller plans to sell her house and live a “slow-madic” lifestyle. But she’s on disability and needs to keep her money safe. How should she invest her $500,000 windfall? Former
7 Expensive Mistakes That Beginner Real Estate Investors Make - Afford Anything
You've thought about investing in rental properties ... ... but the fear of making a huge six-figure mistake holds you back? You're not alone. That 'what if I buy a disaster?' feeling is real, especially for beginners. Imagine walking into a casino and putting $100,000 on red. That's how some people view real estate investing – as pure luck. (And let's be honest, those who dive in without learning the ropes probably aren't much luckier!) Successful real estate investing is about strategy, not gambling. By educating yourself and avoiding common pitfalls, you can weather almost any storm. 7 Expensive Mistakes (and How to
How to Buy Real Estate When Everything is Expensive - Afford Anything
I want to speak candidly to anyone who wants to buy a home. You're facing three problems: Home prices are high Interest rates are high Inventory is low None of these are going to get better anytime soon. But there's good news: You can buy a home, as long as you're smart about it. By the end of this email, I'll demonstrate how. First, let's understand the problem. High home prices: From 2020 to 2021, home values nationwide rose 17 percent on average. Prices have risen by around an additional 5 percent every year since. Here's a chart of home prices over the last 12 years:
#509: “I’m Retiring at Age 34 and a Half!” - Afford Anything
Rob wants to retire early, but a real estate investment led to $30,000 of credit card debt. Should he take on more debt to pay it off?An anonymous return caller took Paula’s advice and ran with it, doubling her income within a few years. Should she update her investment strategy now that she’s in a higher tax bracket?Humaira is tired of paying rent with nothing to show for. Can she leverage some benefits by using her credit card to pay the bills?Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.Enjoy!
#508: Stanford Researcher Dr. Mary Murphy on How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset - Afford Anything
Recently I chatted with Stanford researcher Dr. Mary Murphy, a renowned expert in the field of psychological and brain sciences. Dr. Murphy, who is a Professor at Indiana University and conducts research at Stanford University, shared insights into the concepts of fixed mindset and growth mindset. We deep dived into her extensive research on how these mindsets impact motivation, performance, and relationships at work and home. She conducted research alongside legendary psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, who created the original studies around fixed vs. growth mindset. If you’ve ever read about fixed vs. growth mindset in the past, you’ve undoubtedly heard
#507: How One Ex-Inmate is Building a Better Future - Afford Anything
Suzy is excited to deploy her first corporate bonus but scared to invest everything in a lump sum. Should she stick with what’s worked in the past and just dollar cost-average?Meghan doesn’t understand how stock pricing affects capital appreciation. Is it always better to buy when share prices are low?Robert was recently released from prison and wants to start his life on the right foot. What’s Joe and Paula’s advice for him?Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.Enjoy!
#506: MadFientist: Life is Too Short to Wait for Someday - Afford Anything
Today's guest, Brandon Ganch, also known as the MadFientist, reached Financial Independence (FI) and quit his job as a software developer at 34. But then he faced a vexing question: what should he do with the rest of his life? In this episode, Brandon shares his journey with FI, revealing the gap between the ideal life you envision on spreadsheets and the reality that unfolds. He talks about reaching FI sooner than planned, having more money than anticipated, and the adjustments he had to make to his lifestyle. It's a refreshingly honest look at FI that goes beyond the numbers.
#505: Harvard Dropout Builds Nation’s First Car-Free Utopia, with Ryan Johnson and JD Roth - Afford Anything
Ryan Johnson isn't your average CEO. He's a visionary reimagining city life, one car-free community at a time.In this episode, we chat with Ryan, the co-founder of Culdesac, about building walkable neighborhoods designed for human connection, not just traffic.We'll dive into his experience with Opendoor, his passion for electric bikes (he owns over 60!), and his audacious plan to revolutionize urban living.Buckle up (or maybe don't) for a conversation about the future of cities, the power of community, and why you might not need a car ever again.
#504: The Points Guy: Growing a Side Hustle into a 140-Person Business - Afford Anything
Brian Kelly faced a harsh reality during the Great Recession – $65,000 in income and crushing credit card debt. He started a simple side hustle, a website called The Points Guy, as an attempt to earn a few hundred dollars a month. Fast forward to today: The Points Guy boasts 11 million monthly visitors and a thriving team of 140 employees. In this episode, Brian pulls back the curtain on his incredible journey, transforming a fledgling side hustle into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. He also shares his signature expertise – the art of redeeming airline miles and points – empowering you
#503: Q&A: “My Husband is Not Reliable with Money. Should We Split Finances? - Afford Anything
Lindsay’s husband struggles with a mental disability. She’s worried about the impact on her family’s finances. How does she maintain harmony in her marriage and protect her kids’ future? An anonymous caller is stoked about her young nephew’s interest in saving for retirement. What’s Paula and Joe’s advice for a teenage saver? Following up on a discussion from episode 494, Melanie has exciting news to share about automating ETF investments at Vanguard. Another anonymous caller wants to get personal about Paula’s personal finances. Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these four questions in today’s episode. Enjoy! P.S. Got
Ugh, Interest Rates are Still High - What Are Your Options? (Whether You Own or Rent?) - Afford Anything
The big and bummer news this week: Interest rates remain at a 23-year-high, and they're likely to stay that way for longer than anticipated. The Federal Reserve met earlier this week and, unlike some earlier expectations, decided to hold rates steady. While the Fed typically meets every 6.5 weeks (8 times a year), they're expected to maintain this stance for several upcoming meetings. This shift comes as a surprise. Back in January, analysts and investors predicted a decrease in rates by now. Discussions even centered on whether the drop would happen in Q2 vs. Q3. Nobody is talking about that
The Bull Market: Are We Due for a Reality Check? - Afford Anything
Hi friends, Let's talk about the bull market. We've gotten used to a rising market. Since 2009, the bull run stumbled briefly in March 2020 before powering back up. The past 15 years have been mostly a one-way street for stocks. Are we getting a little too used to the good times? Is there a chance we're fooling ourselves, thinking this can last forever? And the big question: should we be worried about a correction coming around the corner? It's natural to feel nervous after such a long bull run. Markets are cyclical, but that doesn't mean we need to
#501: Live From Brooklyn: Travel More, Work Less - Afford Anything
Feeling stuck in a job you hate, dreaming of exotic adventures? This episode is your escape hatch. Brad Barrett, host of the ChooseFI Podcast, takes the interviewer role in this special episode, recorded LIVE at a comedy club in Brooklyn. Brad interviews me (!!) about how I quit my reporter gig and traveled the world for over 2 YEARS! This episode spills the tea on my transformation from newspaper reporter to world wanderer, and talks about how this podcast (now over 500 episodes!) got started. Feeling inspired? This episode is your travel hack manual for designing your dream life on
#502: Fed Keeps Interest Rates High; Jobs Grow for 40th Consecutive Month - Afford Anything
The Fed met earlier this week and elected to keep interest rates at a 23-year high, in an effort to wrestle inflation closer to its two percent target. Despite this, the April jobs report, which was released today, shows that jobs grew for the 40th consecutive month, and unemployment remains under 4 percent, an historic low, for the 27th straight month. The 12-month inflation rate is 3.5 percent, based on March CPI data. Stocks remain on a tear, but performance is lopsided, with 10 companies driving 85 percent of this years’ gains. We cover this and more in our First
#500: LIVE FROM BROOKLYN: Episode 500 with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett - Afford Anything
Let's talk about the bull market. We've gotten used to a rising market. Since 2009, the bull run stumbled briefly in March 2020 before powering back up. The past 15 years have been mostly a one-way street for stocks. Are we getting a little too used to the good times? Is there a chance we're fooling ourselves, thinking this can last forever? And the big question: should we be worried about a correction coming around the corner? It's natural to feel nervous after such a long bull run. Markets are cyclical, but that doesn't mean we need to panic. In